How often do young zebras molt?

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nelloyello11
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How often do young zebras molt?

Post by nelloyello11 » Sun Jun 26, 2011 11:35 pm

I have a couple young hens - about four and a half months old. They molted once already (2-3 months old), though their colors didn't change much during that molt.
Recently, there have been quite a few feathers around the cage. Previously, there may have been some plucking issues, but I have removed the culprits.
Is it possible that they are molting again?
Nelissa
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1 NG (Peter), 2 SF/FF (Astrid & Nina) and 2 BC (Desmond & Penelope) Zebra finches
2 Owl Finches (Hedwig & Fawkes)
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Justin-2-finches
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Re: How often do young zebras molt?

Post by Justin-2-finches » Mon Jun 27, 2011 1:51 am

It can take quite a few months for them to get their full adult colors, it normally happens by around 3 months but there are always exceptions.
As for further molts. Zebra dont really 'go through the molt' like gouldians do. Zebra's molt very gradually replacing their feathers without you noticing.
15 Gouldian, 40+ mutation Zebs, Societies and 1 Cut-throat (the only one i ever bred)... plus babies everywhere

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Re: How often do young zebras molt?

Post by ac12 » Mon Jun 27, 2011 12:28 pm

As Justin said, zebras will have their first juv to adult molt.
Then they molt gradually after that, a few feathers at a time. So you will have feathers on the floor all the time. :(
Gary

gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
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nelloyello11
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Re: How often do young zebras molt?

Post by nelloyello11 » Mon Jun 27, 2011 1:26 pm

Thanks, justin and ac12, for your responses!
I don't mind the feathers on the floor per se. There just hadn't been any at all around the cage since their juvie molt, until recently. I know some were because we had some pluckers in the cage. But since they've been removed, I'm still finding feathers. I guess I just needed some reassurance that this isn't necessarily abnormal.
Thanks again!
Nelissa
Image
1 NG (Peter), 2 SF/FF (Astrid & Nina) and 2 BC (Desmond & Penelope) Zebra finches
2 Owl Finches (Hedwig & Fawkes)
Painted turtle (Keeker)

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